Can-washing machine



J, F. PERKINS. CAN WASHINGMACHiNE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 13. I917.

Patented Sept. 23, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS J, F. PERKINS. CAN WASHING MACHINE.

. APPLICATION FILED MQAQR. 13. I917. 23,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- INVENTOR JAMES F. PERKINS, OF BLAINE, WASHINGTON.

CAN-WASHING- MACHINE.

Specification of Letters latent. Patented Sept, 23, 1919.

Application filed March 13, 1917. Serial No. 154,636.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES F. PERKINS, residin at Blaine, in the county of Whatcom and tate of Washington, have invented a new and Improved Can-Washing Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention primarily has for its object-to provide anew and improved washing machine that is especially designed for use in canneries for automaticallywashing the cans after they have been filled.

In its generic nature, my improved can washing machine comprises a washing tank, means whereby the cans as they are passed into the intake end of the machine are caused to gravitate through the washing fiuid as the body portions thereof are subjected to a brushing operation, the said means being so designed that the bodily washed and brushed cans are conveyed to a discharging mechanism cooperative with an improved means for brushing the opposite ends of the said cans as they pass to the delivery end of the machine.

In its more complete nature, this invention embodies an improved curved trackway that takes the cans at the entrance *end of themachine over which they are fed by gravity to a supplemental mechanism that includes a curved trackway which rises to the delivery end of the machine and on which brushing devices are mounted for engaging the opposite ends of-the cans and combine with a cotiperating delivery wheel or drumlike member that frictionally engages the cans and conveys them up to the delivery end of the supplemental trackway and which operates in unison with the primary carrying wheel or drum that brushes the cans as they pass along the primary can receiving traokway.

- Again, this invention has for its purpose the provision of an improved can washing mechanism in which is included primary brushing means that wipe the body portions of the cans and a coacting secondary brushing means for brushing the opposite ends of the cans as they are conveyed through the tank to the discharging end of the machine, and other means for frictionally retarding the passage of the cans as they are being subjected to their end brushing operations to thereby effect the more perfect brushing of the cans as theyare held in the washing solution.

Withother objects in view that will hereinafter appear, my invention is an improved can washing machine that embodies the peculiar construction and combination of parts to be fully explained, specifically pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is aside elevation of the complete machine.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof taken on the line 2-2 on. Fig. 1 and illustrating the primary brushing elements. 1

the

Fig. 3 is a similar view taken on llne 3-3 on Fig. 1 and illustrating the secondary brushing elements and the dischargmg wheel or drum.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective viewof the entrance end of the machine.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the discharging end of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 6-6 on F ig. 1, and illustrates the resilient support for the freev end of the hinged or supplemental can trackway hereinafter specifically referred to.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail cross section of a portion of the main brush carrier," one brush mounted of the brush holders and a therein.

Fig. 8 is a detailperspeotive view of a portion of one of the can trackways.

Fig. 9 is a detail section of the brush cleaning means hereinafter referred to.

In the practical arrangement thereof, my improved can washing machine includes a main or supporting frame of suitable height and length and proportioned substantially as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing in which are shown four end legs or standards 1, preferably of angle iron as shown, for being braced by horizontal side and end angle beams 2-3 and a pair of oppositely disposed horizontal top beams 4-4 that are bolted ,or otherwise made fast, at their opposite cans in horizontal position into the entrance end of the tank, I have provided what I term, an undulated trackway locatedwithin the tank and which includes a primary trackway upon which the cans are received and over which they gravitate under their own weight.

The inner end of the said primary trackway is at a lower-plane than the entrance end and the said inner end connects with a second or supplemental trackway onto which the cans are passed as they are forced from the primary trackway and along which the cans are conveyed and from which they are ejected over the discharge end of they tank in a manner presently explained.

The main trackway, which is of substantially semi-circular shape, consists of a pair of narrow flat metal bars 10-l0, the upper ends of which are projected above the top ofthe frame and are held at substantially right angles to the semi-circular portion as at 10*-10 to form the side arms of the entrance end of the machine and between which the cans are positioned when the machine is in operation, as shown by the arrow as, in Fig. 1. v

The main can trackway also includes stout curved metal bands 11, the upper ends of which are also bent at right angles as at 11 and they extend over the bed of the frame and the said bands 11 are fixedly joined with the bars 10 by angle brackets 12-12, best shown in detail, see Fig. 8;

The angle ends 11 of the bottom members 11--11 of the main can trackway are bolted to the cross rail 3 of the frame and the discharging end of the said trackway, which is in a plane lower than the entrance end, is supported on hangers 14-14 pendent from the opposite top rails of the main frame.

1'5 designates a hood like guard that is secured to the entrant end of the main trackway and 1615 a similar guard secured to the hangers 1414 and located over the discharge end of the said main can trackway, the said guards being provided for preventing thecans endwise leaving the main trackway as they enter and are discharged therefrom.

A wheel 17 is rotatably mounted transversely over the main can trackway with the ends of its shaft 17 journaled in hanger brackets 181'8- pendent from the top rails of the frame and on one of the ends of belt 20, as shown."

the said shaft 17" is mounted a sprocket gear 18 and on the other end is located a driven pulley 19 over which passes apower The perimeter or felly of the wheel 17 is preferably of heavy sheet metal to provide for conveniently attaching to it, a series of transversely held dove-tail shape metal holders 21 into which are endwise fed wooden, head blocks 22 of brushes 23, as is best shown in Fig. 7.

So far as described, the arrangement of the parts is such that as the cans are fed onto the main can trackway and-the brush wheel, turning in the direction of the arrow, the aforesaid brushes 23 engage the cylindrical can bodies and in brushing them turn them over and aid in the forward feeding thereof to the discharging end of the said trackway over which the primarily brushed cans pass onto the supplemental can trackwa the construction of which and the cooperating feed and end brushing mechanism is as follows:

24: designates the supplemental can trackway which is constructed similar to the main can trackway but differs from the said main trackway in that its entrant end is the lower end and the discharge thereof, the high end, and instead of being fixedly held, the said supplemental can trackway 24 has its lower end hinged, as at 25, to the lower ends of the hangers 1414, while the upper end I connection 28, each of which includes'an.

eye 28 in which the rod hangers 29-29 are pendently hung, the said hangers '29 having hook ends 29 for hooking into the bracket members 3030 attached to the supplemental trackway, as shown.

A hood 31 is fixedly attached to and projected over the discharging end of the supplemental can trackway for holding the cans from displacement as they are carried onto the discharging end of .the said trackway, as will presently more fully appear.-

3232 designate a pair of curved guides that are held concentric with the curved side bars of the supplemental trackway 24 and the said curved guides 3232 have their upper ends 3232 attached to the opposite upper rails of the main frame, as is best shown in detail in'Figs. 1 and 5, and from which it will be observed each of the said upper ends 32 has a longitudinal slot 32* that receives the fastening bolt 33 that provides for lateral adjustment of the guides 32, to provide for setting the brushes 3434. that engage the can heads to the desired brushing positions.

The brushes 34 each include a wooden head block 34 dove-tail in cross section for fitting into the similarly formed sheet metal holder 34" and which are screwed or otherlelism with the front or main brush carry-.

ing wheel, is of such diameter that its yieldable periphery engages the cans that are passed up from the main trackway and feeds the said cans forwardly at a speed slower than that at which the cans tend to travel along the main trackway, such relative speeds of advancement of the cans being provided for, to thereby cause the cans to remain within the washing solution sufficiently long to effect a perfect primary washing and brushing of the'bodies of the Y cans and the secondary. washing and brushing of the ends ofthe said cans before they pass over the discharge end of the machine,

it being understood that the resiliency of the hangers for the free end of the supplemental can trackway and the outfeed wheel 35 is relatively such that a desired frictional resistance is applied to hold back the can during the final or end washing operation.

After passing over the discharge end of the machine, the cans may be rolled onto an inclined chute for conveying them to a place for further handling.

The shaft of the wheel 35- "carries a sprocket Wheel 24* over which passes an endless power transmission chain 24: that takes through and is driven by the sprocket wheel on the shaft of the front or main brush carrying wheel.

4:646 designate perforated steam pipes that extend, one at each side of and part way around the bottom edge of the solid. wheel 35 and just over the end brushes, the perforations 46{l6 being positioned for directing the steam jets in between and above the said end brushes, to thereby clean the brushes and assist in cleaning the cans, see Fig. 9.

The perforated pipes connect with a cross feed pipe 37 that joins with a steam feed pipe 38 and has a control valve 39, as shown.

A lateral 40 from the steam pipe 38 connects with a pendent pipe section 41 that extends down into the tank 1. 42 is a valve in the said lateral 40.

In operation, after the water in the tank 1 is heated, the valve 42 is closed and the valve 39 is opened, which allows enough steam to enter the jet pipes for cleaning the cans and the brushes and, at the same time,

keeping the cleansing water hot.

From the foregoing taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the complete operation, the manner in which my can washer is used and the advantages thereof will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which my inventionappertains. What I claim is:

1; In a machine of the' character dc scribed, a brush, having projecting brushing elements, a trackway beneath said brush, said trackway being open adjacent the brush and having its entrance end elevated above the discharge end, whereby a can will'be ejected by gravity over the discharge end of-the trackway by the weight of the cans near the entrance end of the track'- way and means for driving the brush.

. 2. In a machine of the character described, a rotary brush having radially disposed brushing elements, a 'trackway beneath said brush, said trackway being open adjacent the brush and having its entrance end elevated above the discharge end, wherebv a can will be ejected by gravity over'the discharge end of the trackway by the weight of the cans near the entrance end of the trackw-ay and means for driving the brush.

3. In a can washing machine'of the character described, a rotary brush having radifor driving the brush.

4. In a can washing machine of the character described, a brush having radially disposed brushing elements, a trackway beneath said brush, said traclwvay beingopen adjacent the brush and having its entrance end elevated above the discharge end, whereby the cans will be ejected by gravity over the discharge end of the trackway by the weight of the cans near the entrance end of the trackway and means for driving the brush in the direction of movement of the cans over the trackway, said brush being in brushing engagement with the cans on the track- Way and also functioning to aid the traveling of the cans toward the discharge end of the trackway.

In a machine of the character described, a brush having radially disposed brushing elements, a trackway beneath said brush, said trackway being open ad]acent the brush and having its entrance end elevated above the discharge end, whereby cans will be ejected by gravity over the discharge end of the trackway by the weight of cans near the entrance end of the trackway and means for driving the brush in the direction of movement of the cans over the trackway, said brush being in brushing engagement with the cans on the trackway and also functioning to aid the traveling; of the cans toward the discharge end of the trackway, a

supplemental trackway onto which the cans end of the said other with the cans as they pass onto the supplemental track- 'way for moving them forward over the discharge end of the said supplemental trackway and brushing elements that engage the ends of the cans as they travel along the said supplemental trackway.

6. In a machine of the character described, a brush having radially disposed brushing elements, a trackway beneath said brush, said trackway being open adjacent the brush and having its entrance end elevated above the discharge end, whereby cans will be ej ected by gravity over the discharge end of the trackway bv the weight of cans near the entrance end of the trackway and means for driving the brush in the direction of movement of the cans over the trackway, said brush being in brushing engagement with the cans on the trackway and also functioning to aid the traveling of the cans toward the discharge end of the trackway, a supplemental trackway onto which the cans are delivered as they pass over the discharge end of the other trackway, the discharge end of the supplemental trackway being higher than the discharge end of the said other trackway, means cooperative with the cans as they pass onto the supplemental trackway for moving them forward over the discharge end of the said supplemental trackway and brushing elements that engage the ends of the cans as they travel along the said supplemental trackway, the said can moving means having connection with and driven by the aforesaid rotary brush when the latter is in motion.

7. In a can washer, a tank, a curved tracklway within the tank and which includes an entrance end onto which the cans are rolled and a discharge end, the latter being in a plane below the entrance end over which the cans are rolled and discharged,

said trackway also including means for holding the cans agalnst endwise d1splacement, and means for holding the cans in contrackway being higher 8. In a can washer, a tank, a curved trackway within the tank and which includes an entrance end onto which the cans are rolled and a discharge end, the latter being in a plane below the entrance end over which the cans are rolled and discharged, said trackway also including means for holding the cans against endwise displacement,

means for holding the cans in contact with the trackway as they roll along the said trackway from the entrance to the discharge end as the cans on the down-going or entrance end of the. trackway gravitate along under their own weight, said last named means consisting of a power driven rotary member having radially extended brushes that engage and brush the cans as they are advanced along the said trackway and aid the traveling of the cans to the discharge end of the said trackway.

9. In a can washer, a tank, means for rolling the cans into one end of the tank and out of the other-end of the. said tank, primary brushing elements that engage the sides of the cans and tend to advance them.

toward the discharging end of the tank, other brushing elements that engage and clean the ends of the cans after they leave the primary brushing elements, and means cooperating with the said other brushing elements that engage the cans and advance them to the discharging end of the tank as they are being end cleaned, at a speed slower than the forward speed of thecans by the primary brushing elements that engage the sides of the cans.

10. A can washer comprising the following elements in combination; a washing tank, a can receiving tableiat one end, a can delivery table at the other end, a main fixedly held and substantially semi-circular trackway onto which the cans roll from the receiving table at one-end, a rotary brush ing wheel mounted over the said semi-circular trackway, a curved trackway hinged at the lower end of the main or cylindrical trackway, a yielding support for the hinged trackway, the said curved trackway having its exit end in communication with the discharging end of the table, brushing elements mounted on the said curved trackway for engaging the ends of the cans, and .a rotary wheel that frictionally engages the body of the cans for advancing the cans to the discharging end of the table.

11. A can washer comprising the following elements in combination; a washing tank, a can receiving table at one end, a can delivery table at the other end, a main fixedly held and substantially cylindrical trackway.

onto which the cans r011 from the receiving table atone end, arotary brushing wheel mounted over the said cylindrical trackway, a curved trackway hinged at the lower end to the main or cylindrical trackway, the said curved trackway having its exit end in communication with the discharging end of the table, brushing elements mounted on the said curved trackway for engaging the'ends of the cans, and a rotary wheel that frictionally engages the body of the cans for advancing the cans to the discharging end of the table, and means for holding the curved trackway under tension and movable toward the said rotary wheel, whereby to effeet a frictional contact of the cans with the'said rotary wheel. 

